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| Retired NFL player Roy Simmons plans to educate women, NFL players, and others about HIV and AIDS and the dangers of being dishonest about one’s sexual orientation. (Photo by Miriam B. Coleman) |
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HOME > ENTERTAINMENT > FEATURE
By: GREG SMILEY COMMENTS
 
GEORGIA NATIVE ROY SIMMONS played for the New York Giants from 1979-’83,
and with the Washington Redskins from ’83 to ’85, including during the team’s
Super Bowl XVIII victory in 1984.
Nicknamed “Sugar Bear” by his former teammates for his warmth and generosity,
Simmons hid his sexual orientation from most everyone until the early 1990s.
It’s understandable in an atmosphere where players and even the president of
a football team still use derogatory terms for gays during angry moments. According
to news reports, Detroit Lions president Matt Millen apologized this week for
twice describing Kansas City receiver Johnnie Morton as a “faggot” after a
game Sunday, Dec. 14.
Simmons, a 47-year-old retired athlete, came out as a gay man in 1992 on the “Phil
Donahue Show,” a time preceded by fear and confusion. Before then, he abused
alcohol and illicit drugs and was living on the “down low,” a trendy term in
some gay social circles for black gay or bisexual men who are either in the
closet or do not identify as gay.
Earlier this month, Simmons came out again, this time as a person living with
HIV.
He now lives in Massachusetts, on Martha’s Vineyard, and has given over much
of his care to his best friend, Jimmy Hester, who also is HIV-positive, and
his naturopathic doctor, Roni DeLuz.
He’s working on a book about his life with sports writer Benoit Lewis. And
in January, Simmons plans to begin speaking at colleges and working to educate
people nationwide about HIV/AIDS.
He recently spoke with the Blade.
How did your football career
begin?
Well, I grew up in Savannah, Georgia.
I played a number of positions — offensive tackle, defensive tackle, offensive
guard, nose guard. I was recruited by a number of schools, but I wanted to
stay in state close to home, so I went to Georgia Tech. I did well in school,
both academically and athletically, and I thought I’d be drafted in the NFL’s
first round. All the scouts thought that. Everyone thought that. But I didn’t
go until the eighth [round] to the Giants.
Sounds like a major disappointment.
Things had always gone my way up until
that point. Words don’t describe it. I was embarrassed, humiliated, angry.
There are some moments in your life that are history-making events. Things
you don’t forget.
What other events come to mind as history-making
moments?
When I met my daughter’s mother in
the third grade, that’s one. The birth of my daughter. I’d say sobriety. Doing
drugs. Attending the Super Bowl with the Redskins. Being baptized here on Martha’s
Vineyard in the ocean. Freeing myself on the “Donahue Show” in 1992. That helped
a lot of people. Meeting Dr. Roni through my best friend, Jimmy. I’m pleased
and honored to have met these two beautiful angels in my life.
When did you find out you were HIV-positive,
and what was that initial moment like?
I was diagnosed in 1997. I was scheduled
to go to Israel by myself on a spiritual retreat for a couple of weeks, but
I went to the doctor before I went. I had been sick with all this stuff I don’t
get — earache, sore throat. He asked me when was the last time I was tested,
and I said three or four years ago.
Were you worried?
I was nervous. No one is totally sure.
Especially when it comes to intercourse. Some people have blackouts that they
can’t remember [what they did]. Being told that I was positive, there’s a shade
of darkness that comes over you — fear, knowing that you’re going to die. At
that point, I had been clean for five years. I was a substance abuse counselor
in East Hampton, New York. It was just shocking. Having to make that call to
your mother — that was awful.
And telling your daughter?
Kara? Yes. Telling her — it was not
easy. A lot of crying, despair. Overall though, I am her Dad. And there is
forgiveness.
Your announcement to come out this
year as HIV-positive coincided with World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. What went into
your decision to come forward at this moment?
Well, my experience with Jimmy and
Dr. Roni. Jimmy’s an old friend of mine from my days as a New York Giant. He
was the busboy at the restaurant that many of the Giants would hang ...
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